INTERNSHIPS

About ICA INTERNSHIPS

The ICA’s Internship Program invites qualified individuals to explore museum careers in an educational internship setting. Interns participate in museum events, support departments with research and data management and get to know the daily activities that make the ICA an exciting and innovative museum. Unpaid part-time internships are available in Winter/Spring (January – April) Summer (May – August), and Fall (September – December) depending on the needs of departments. Please refer to specific department descriptions for internship availability.

Join the ICA as an intern and explore museum work:

Gain an understanding of the day-to-day work that supports a contemporary art institution

Gain first-hand professional experience in a museum setting

Participate in weekly educational seminars designed to show interns all areas within the museum

One letter of recommendation (which can be emailed separately or with materials)

We encourage applicants to obtain school credit for their internship if possible and will work with universities to ensure proper credit for the internship. International applicants are encouraged to apply; however, the appropriate visa must be obtained prior to start date. The ICA does not sponsor visas for international interns at this time. If you have questions regarding our internships, the selection process or whether you may qualify, please email internships@icaboston.org.

Internship Descriptions

Descriptions below provide an overview of the internships of each department. Specific projects or opportunities may be discussed in greater detail in an interview.

Collections and Exhibitions Maintenance InternThe Collections Intern obtains an understanding of the intricate organization and active communication needed to maintain contemporary art museum collections and exhibitions. Duties may include assisting with file maintenance, archiving ICA publications, updating the Collections database and assisting with correspondence. Art history or museum studies Masters or PhD candidate with a demonstrated familiarity with contemporary art preferred. Facility with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) is helpful. Cataloguing and database experience (TMS and Filmmaker Pro) is preferred. Individual should have excellent communication skills (verbal and written), must be organized, flexible, detail oriented, and able to work independently and multi task on various projects.

Curatorial Intern
Over the course of the internship, Curatorial interns learn about the many responsibilities of a curatorial team while participating in research and administrative assistance, responding to standard department inquiries via mail and email, which include artist inquiries, submissions, and traveling exhibition proposals. Interns also assist with day-to-day administrative tasks, including file building; library organization and maintenance, and preparation for department presentations. Interns should possess a background and interest in contemporary art and should be familiar with Microsoft office suite.

Development Intern
Interns participate in a wide variety of the Development department’s day-to-day activities. Duties can include drafting proposals to corporations, foundations and government-funding sources, writing reports and conducting research on prospective funding sources, organizing direct mailings, and helping to maintain the membership database. Interns also offer support to staff working events and previews. Candidates should have computer and administrative skills, and include writing samples with application.

Education – Family Programs Intern
Family Programs interns will gain first-hand experience with innovative family and youth programming and will be able to explore the art and artists featured in the ICA. The Family Programs intern will participate in all aspects of ICA family programs and art lab tours, including group orientation sessions in the ICA lobby, facilitating discussion in the art lab as well as occasionally helping with education or museum events. Other intern responsibilities including correspondence, record keeping and analysis, data entry, participation in the art lab and assisting in the galleries with children and families; greeting and admitting families on ICA Play Dates. Interns will attend meetings and trainings to current and future exhibitions.

Education – Adult Education and Group Tours Intern
Interns support Education Department staff with research, implementation, and evaluation of select programs for adults and group tours. Responsibilities include welcoming self-guided groups and chaperones to the ICA, contributing to program assessment for adults and tour programs, and assisting with the cultivation and training of department volunteers. Other duties may include conducting research and maintaining department database. Candidates should have strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written), ability to multi-task and work independently as needed, and availability some weekend or weeknights.

Human Resources InternAvailable in summer term onlyThe Human Resources Department is responsible for maintaining the benefits, policies and activities that make the ICA an efficient and productive workplace. In addition, the Human Resources office manages the ICA’s Internship Program. The HR Intern will assist the Human Resources Manager with the preparation and management of this program, specifically recruiting, selection, orientation, speaker series, and evaluations and will gain an understanding of how to recruit, organize, and acknowledge an unpaid volunteer group, as well as how internship programs can create meaningful career paths for students.

Marketing & Communications InternThe Marketing Intern is an integral part of the Marketing Department at the ICA, participating in a wide range of key projects including maintaining the ICA press archive, assisting with press previews and receptions, researching social media and other online initiatives, assisting with marketing and special programming initiatives such as First Fridays, and facilitating donation requests for community fundraisers. The ideal candidate should be enthusiastic and self-motivated, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to work independently.

Membership Intern
The Membership department is charged with generating innovative programs to excite and develop our member base that supports the ICA, while also tracking and reporting trends. The Membership department works closely with front desk staff as well as special events and marketing staff to engage members. The Membership Intern will support the Membership Department with administrative tasks while gaining an understanding of the day-to-day operations and planning that sustains a robust membership program. Interns will respond to member inquiries and requests, prepare weekly acknowledgement mailings, organize membership collateral archive, research membership marketing opportunities and assist at various events. Interns should have customer service skills, computer skills, ability to work independently and interest in contemporary art and museum marketing strategies; some college preferred.

Programs Intern
The Public Programs department intern assist with the outreach, research, and implementation of the ICA’s public programming. The intern will have the opportunity to learn about the ICA’s wide variety of public programs including First Fridays, films, dance, and artist talks while helping to cultivate interest in the museum and its adult programs, performing arts performances, and education programs. The intern will have a broad range of responsibilities including support during events; assistance in creating marketing materials, archiving and program research. Please note: there may be days when additional evening hours are necessary. Candidate should have interest and/or experience in arts administration, public relations, marketing, and/or customer service; work independently; organized; proficient in Microsoft (excel and word); and be able to demonstrate strong research skills.

Theater Management Intern
The Theater Production Department at the ICA provides production and logistic support to all events presented on-site including performances, lectures, special events such as weddings and corporate events, as well as educational and teen events. The Theater Administrative Intern will participate in administrative support for a variety of events and will gain an understanding of the day-to-day operations that support event production. The Theater Administrative intern will primarily work with the Director of Theater Operations and will assist with planning, implementation and follow up on ICA booked performances held throughout the year, pre-production and management of events, file maintenance and correspondence. An interest in Arts Administration, office experience and working knowledge of excel, outlook and Gmail suite are preferred.